By AUDREY YOUNG
Labour MP John Tamihere has accepted an invitation into enemy territory, and will be the National Party's guest speaker at a lunch in Epsom in November.
But he believes he may take some hostages on the way.
"I'm taking along my Labour Party membership book and I'm pretty sure I'll sign half of them up after it."
The invitation was issued by National's Epsom MP Richard Worth, a fellow Auckland first-termer.
"They are obviously hard-up for inspirational speakers, so I'll share my wit and wisdom with them," said Mr Tamihere.
The topic of his speech will be "Why you should join the Labour Party."
"In this country it's okay to talk to the Tories. It's not as if I'm a Catholic going into the Ulster Defence Force honours ceremony for killing Catholics."
It was important to engage with "heartland Toryism" to change its views.
Mr Tamihere suggested the lunch would probably be held in the Northern Club on "men-only day."
"Richard is a real old-school Tory, and a gentleman with it. That's why I've got time for him.
"When Richard's having a go at you, unlike the Act party boys, you can see the whites of his eyes when he's coming over the trenches at you."
In fact, Mr Worth said the lunch would be held at the Quality Hotel Logan Park on November 19.
He had not discussed the plan with National's leader, Jenny Shipley.
Asked why he had invited Mr Tamihere, he said: "I think he has worked very committedly for urban Maori.
"What he acknowledges and what I really buy into is that it is unhelpful to dwell in the past and that Maori have to look to the future."
Maori needed to stop talking about empowerment and start talking about the contribution they were going to make to society.
Mr Worth said he believed Mr Tamihere would provide a view of events which the Epsom National Party members might or might not accept.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
To infinity and beyond: Space Minister on the billion dollar potential for our sector
Judith Collins is wasting no time ensuring New Zealand is part of the new Space Race.